The UK described its four-step plan to fight the virus as contain, delay, research and mitigate.

It has also urged the public to stop the spread of misinformation about the virus – with a number of conspiracy theories linked to the virus having been aired – and checking on elderly or vulnerable relatives and friends.

It has also issued guidance to people who have recently visited high-risk places, with visitors to Iran, Hubei province in China, affected areas under lockdown in Italy and designated special care zones in South Korea being told to stay indoors and avoid contact with other people even without symptoms.

Italy

With more than 7,300 confirmed cases, Italy is attempting to introduce a raft of new rules designed to stop the spread in its northern regions – bringing 16 million people into containment.

The plan was leaked to newspaper Corriere della Sera at the weekend, which reportedly include stopping people entering or leaving the affected areas.

Tourists can leave places under lockdown, like Milan, but residents in the affected areas were left confused at the extent of the measures and unsure of when they will take effect from.

Restaurants across Italy are expected to keep customers three feet away from each other while major tourist destinations like museums and archaeological sites are being shut down.

Bars and restaurants in parts of northern Italy can only open between 6am and 6pm, while schools, universities, nightclubs, gyms and swimming pools have been shut.

Serie A games – the top division in Italy’s football league pyramid – have been played behind closed doors.